environment
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The following was posted on Bleeding Heartland as part of their “Wildflower Wednesday” series. I re-wrote an earlier post, adding new content. I appreciate Laura Belin making me part of that series. Is reed canary grass an invasive species? The photo above suggests that it is. Thriving along the lake shore, this grass formed a… Read more
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After two days of heavy rain, gravity takes water from the subdivision toward the lake. We needed rain, and it looks like the garden will survive damage incurred from the heavy storms. A lot of leeks are now angled from their roots. Here is a gallery of photographs from the last two days. Read more
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Friday after overnight and early morning rainfall I came across this common snapping turtle laying eggs next to the state park trail. This location was a few yards from the lake where the turtle spends most of its life. Because of all the foot and bicycle traffic, it is not the safest place for a… Read more
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On Monday Big Grove experienced a steady, soaking rain early in the day that transitioned into a mix of heavy downpours and thunderstorms. I was optimistic I could do some outdoors work in between scattered showers. It was a challenge. The first thing I did was inspect the previous day’s eggplant and tomato plantings. These… Read more
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With spring’s garden work, my joints ache in the morning. By the time I finish my daily exercises and 30-minute walk on the state park trail, the ache subsides. I wouldn’t change anything, yet have to wonder how many more years I can continue tending the large garden we have. That’s not a question for… Read more
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I wrote at length in 2020 about Pattison Sand wanting to mine the Jordan Aquifer and ship the water out west. They persist in needing water, and Iowa DNR sent me this email about their current permit request on Tuesday. You are receiving this email because you previously expressed interest in or commented on Pattison… Read more
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I wake in the middle of the night with the sun well positioned below the horizon. What light exists comes from stars, the moon, airglow, or the indirect light of nearby never-sleeping cities. I am awake, but don’t want to be. Sometimes I get up and walk to the kitchen for a drink of water,… Read more
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Supporting the environment has changed since the first Earth Day. Then the president was aware of public support for protecting the environment and took concrete action. Now, the president couldn’t give two hoots in a holler about it, as evidenced by his support for copper mining in the Boundary Waters. Times have changed, even as… Read more
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It has been a rainy week. Too much moisture in the garden to plant, and constant showers to keep me inside. When the weather is like this, I make a point to find space between rain clouds and get in my 30-minute daily morning walk. A two-hour rain delay is typical. When I finally got… Read more
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When the heat pads, LED light positions, and folding table in the dining room are full of trays of seedlings, it is time to move the garden outdoors. That means setting up the portable greenhouse. A round of indoor planting has been completed. All that is left is breaking down peppers and tomatoes from channel… Read more
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